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Based in Birmingham, United Kingdom, CyberOwl develops data analytics and automation software designed to monitor cyber risks, detect network threats, and manage security incidents across the global maritime shipping industry. The enterprise originated from specialized research conducted at the UK Defence Academy and Coventry University, which led to the commercialization of its flagship target-centric network monitoring platform known as Medulla. In September 2024, the business was acquired by the classification society DNV to integrate its vessel incident management technology into broader maritime compliance and risk mitigation offerings. Following this strategic acquisition, the organization now operates within a massive global network that provides access to 3,500 maritime risk experts and 500 dedicated cybersecurity specialists across international shipping hubs. CyberOwl was originally founded as a university spin-out in 2017 by Daniel Ng, Siraj Shaikh, and Ken Woghiren.
CyberOwl has raised $5.0M across 1 funding round.
CyberOwl has raised $5.0M in total across 1 funding round.
CyberOwl has raised $5.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Series A in September 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2022 | $5M Series A | — | 24Haymarket, Business Growth Fund, Phaze Ventures, Jonathan Milner | Announced |
CyberOwl has raised $5.0M in total across 1 funding round.
CyberOwl's investors include 24Haymarket, Business Growth Fund, Phaze Ventures, Jonathan Milner.
CyberOwl is a cybersecurity company specializing in protective monitoring for operational technology (OT) assets in maritime, defence, and industrial sectors.[1][2] It builds products like Medulla (a cybersecurity monitoring and analytics platform) and Incus (for real-time visibility and policy compliance), serving fleet operators and asset owners facing intermittent connectivity and non-expert crews.[1][2] These solutions solve critical problems such as early threat detection, prioritizing risks to vital systems, and shifting from reactive to predictive cybersecurity postures amid rising maritime attacks, like those on CMA CGM and the IMO.[1][2] CyberOwl has gained traction through deployments on major shipping fleets, US patent issuance for its network security tech, and collaborations with GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).[1][2][3]
CyberOwl emerged as a 2016 spinout from Coventry University, Crossword Cybersecurity PLC, and Mercia Fund Managers, rooted in research at Coventry's Institute for Future Transport and Cities and the UK's Defence Academy.[1][2] The core technology was invented by Chief Scientist Professor Siraj Shaikh, focusing initially on early warnings for cybersecurity threats in distributed systems, later tailored for maritime and critical infrastructure challenges.[1] Early development involved direct work with NCSC and GCHQ to refine Medulla, alongside engagements with nearly 100 shipping owners and managers to address real-world pain points like visibility in remote assets.[2][3] Pivotal moments include securing an Innovate UK grant, a Captain's Table finalist spot, and rapid client wins providing immediate risk detection post-installation.[1][2][3]
CyberOwl rides the surge in maritime cybersecurity demands, fueled by high-profile attacks on shipping giants and agencies like the IMO, alongside digitalization of fleets and critical national infrastructure.[1][2] Timing aligns with global pushes for OT security in sectors with legacy systems and remote operations, where intermittent connectivity amplifies vulnerabilities—CyberOwl's analytics fill gaps traditional tools miss.[1][2] Market forces like regulatory compliance (e.g., cyber hygiene standards) and rising nation-state threats favor its predictive approach, influencing the ecosystem through NCSC/GCHQ collaborations, Innovate UK backing, and scalable deployments that boost fleet operators' resilience.[1][2][3]
CyberOwl is poised for expansion beyond maritime into broader industrial OT, leveraging its patent, research pedigree, and client testimonials to capture growing cyber compliance mandates.[1][2][3] Trends like AI-driven threat analytics, stricter global shipping regs, and hybrid IT/OT convergence will propel it, potentially through partnerships or acquisitions amplifying its "active posture" mission. Its influence may evolve by setting standards for asset visibility, much like its origins shifted reactive fleets to predictive security—solidifying CyberOwl as a guardian of operational assets in an increasingly connected world.[1][2]
